Employment for All Toolkit

The information included in this toolkit is compiled from other providers in the area who offer employment related supports. This is only meant as a guide to assist you in planning for employment supports.
General Information
Why is offering Supported Employment Services important?
- Pennsylvania is an “Employment First” state
- PA GOVERNOR TOM WOLF SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IN 2016 ESTABLISHING AN "EMPLOYMENT FIRST" POLICY IN PENNSYLVANIA
- Employment First - means competitive integrated employment SHOULD be the first consideration and is the PREFERRED service of publicly funded education, training, employment, and related services, for working age Pennsylvanians with a disability
Community Integrated Employment (CIE)
- CIE Is:
- Community-Based
- Strengths-Based
- Integrated
- Focused on Current Skills and Capacities
- CIE Is Not:
- Facility-Based
- Deficit-Based
- Segregated
- Focused on Readiness
Benefits of Working
- Working gives us:
- a sense of identity
- being a part of the community
- a source of money
- independence
- the opportunity to build meaningful relationships
- make contributions
- build our self-worth, and get respect
People who work tend to:
- Expand their social network
- Feel productive and valued
- Have opportunity to learn new skills
- Have opportunity to make choices
Employment Resources
Phila On The Job website – A resource for everything about employment. Visit this site frequently to be sure you have the latest updates on employment! This is a must share with Individuals and families!
Best Practices in Training – Video sharing employment information for families and individuals
Phila School District, Office of Specialized Services, Virtual Post-Secondary Transition Fair - Community Website – Excellent resource for Individuals/families transitioning out of High School
Social Security Administration - Working While Disabled - How We Can Help
APSE - The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national organization focused exclusively on Employment First to facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and community. An informative website to share with Individuals and families!
Job Descriptions
Job Description
POSITION: Job Development/Find - Job Coach
DEPARTMENT: Intellectual Disabilities/Supported Employment
REPORTS TO: IDD Director
Brief outline of position:
- Coordinates training related activities with job seeking skills, mock interviews, job interviews, job application completion, etc.
- Administers vocational interest inventory, time studies, vocational evaluations, task analysis, etc.
- Weekend and/or evening hours are required dependent upon individual work schedule
- Assess individuals' wants and needs
- Devise, plan and implement job coaching strategies
- Provides supportive on-the-job training to workers with ID/MH disabilities
- Works as part of XXXXX Supportive Employment team to market employment program to employers in the Philadelphia area.
- Identify employment positions and place ID/MH individuals into competitive employment in the Philadelphia Business community
- Notice individuals' strengths and instruct them how to make the best out of their strengths
- Discover individuals' motivation and help develop their skills
- Counsel individuals on fine-tuning work habits/skills in preparation for competitive employment
- Assist other employees with disabilities, coworkers, supervisor, etc.
- Keep track, oversee and document individuals' progress
- Update employee records
- Create and present reports for management weekly
- Other CIE (community integrated employment) duties as determined by IDD Director
Skills required:
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Ability to inspire and motivate
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
Work related experience with young adults, individuals with ID/MH disabilities, knowledge of the ID service system, and prior Job Development or Job Coach experience is beneficial. If not ACRE certified, certification needs to be completed within 6 months of employment. Bachelor’s degree with minimum of two-year’s prior ID experience. Preferred.
__________________________________ _____________________
SIGNATURE DATE
Title of Position: Job Coach
Date Prepared: February 3, 2021
Reports to: Employment Supervisor
Program: Employment
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Summary: The Job Coach will provide direct support and coaching to participants in our Employment Programs. He or she will focus on providing coaching that will support the participants’ long term success on the job and result in satisfaction of the participant and the employer partner.
Key Relationships: Participants, families, funders, employers, funder liaison
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Essential Functions:
- Responsible for supporting and coaching participants on job sites in our Employment Programs.
- Schedule and complete follow along visits on the community job site.
- Monitor and report on progress of the participant during each visit.
- Maintain relationship with the participant’s supervisor, or the business owner to identify level of satisfaction and areas for improvement.
- Implement job support plans provided by the Employment Specialist.
- Maintain positive working relationships with participants, families and funders.
- Communicate with participant and team routinely utilizing Positive Approaches.
Administrative Activities and Documentation:
- Complete administrative tasks and documentation including service notes and data collection, etc.
- Attend ISP and IEP meetings as scheduled.
- Monitor and report on progress of the participant during each visit.
Additional Job Responsibilities:
- Assist with grant projects as needed
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
- Experience in business or self-employment preferred
- Basic ACRE accreditation achieved within 6 months of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Core Competencies:
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Ability to use email proficiently.
- Experience using smart technology such as tablets and smart phones.
- Excellent time management skills
- Professional writing skills for internal/external communication and program documentation.
Physical Demands:
- Physical demands vary dependent upon the type of employment supports provided.
- Regularly required to sit, stand and walk for periods of time, occasionally climb and descend steps, and frequently talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle office materials and or equipment. The employee is frequently required to drive from location to location for periods of up to 1 hour, occasionally required to drive for periods of up to 3 hours or more.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Ability to sit for long periods of time
- Ability to lift 10 lbs. routinely and up to 30 lbs. occasionally
- Ability to climb stairs routinely and ladders or step stools occasionally
- Ability to bend at the waist and knees and to kneel.
- Ability to push, pull and reach.
- Ability to drive routinely up to one hour and occasionally up to 3 hours at a time.
- Be capable of visual and auditory scanning of the work environment so as to monitor the facility to ensure safe and effective office operations.
Working Conditions:
- This position operates in varied work environments including, but not limited to: offices, schools, hospitals, homes, community businesses, and community resources.
- Work is predominantly in doors, but may include work outside regardless of inclement weather.
Title of Position: Job Developer
Date Prepared: Feb 3, 2021
Reports to: Employment Supervisor
Program: Employment
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Summary: The Job Developer is responsible for providing direct supports to participants in our Employment Programs with a focus on paid job, work experience, and internship/apprenticeship development. The Job Developer will be the point person in all activities related to connecting consumers with work related opportunities including but not limited to: resume development, interview preparation, business related networking, application submission, and job negotiation.
Key Relationships: participants, businesses, families, funders, employers, Funder Liaison, Employment Specialist
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Essential Functions:
Leadership
- Responsible for developing employment related work experience and internship opportunities for participants in the Supported Employment program.
- Develop and negotiate work related opportunities for participants.
- Assist with career plans as assigned.
- Assist in the development of Customized and Self-Employment plans
- Assist in developing electronic/video resumes and portfolio websites. These are universal tools used to help participants engage with potential employers and/or opportunities with community businesses.
External Relationships and Collaboration
- Develop relationships with community based businesses and organizations to yield future employment opportunities.
- Attend networking and business development meetings and events.
- Assist teams to develop Plan to Achieve Self-Sufficiency (PASS) plans as assigned.
- Maintain positive and productive working relationships with participants, families, businesses and funders.
- Communicate with participant and team routinely (as determined in the intake and career plan meetings) and professionally.
Administrative Activities and Documentation
- Meet quarterly expectations for progress and 90 day placements
- Complete paperwork and documentation as required.
- Attend Individual Support Plan and Individual Educational Plan meetings as scheduled
- Work within the OVR portal called CWDS and collaborate with the Funder Liaison for required activities such as reporting, invoicing and managing Purchase Orders.
Additional Job Responsibilities:
- Assist with grant projects as needed
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
- Have and maintain numerous business and community contacts.
- Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
- Experience in business or self-employment preferred
- Preference given to candidates with ACRE and Discovery and Customized Employment certifications- must be achieved in first 6 months of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Core Competencies:
- Knowledge of PASS (Plan to Achieve Self Sufficiency) plans
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Ability to use email proficiently.
- Experience using smart technology such as tablets and smart phones.
- Excellent time management skills
- Professional writing skills for internal/external communication and program documentation.
Physical Demands:
- Physical demands vary dependent upon the type of employment supports provided.
- Regularly required to sit, stand and walk for periods of time, occasionally climb and descend steps, and frequently talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle office materials and or equipment. The employee is frequently required to drive from location to location for periods of up to 1 hour, occasionally required to drive for periods of up to 3 hours or more.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Ability to sit for long periods of time
- Ability to lift 10 lbs. routinely and up to 30 lbs. occasionally
- Ability to climb stairs routinely and ladders or step stools occasionally
- Ability to bend at the waist and knees and to kneel.
- Ability to push, pull and reach.
- Ability to drive routinely up to one hour and occasionally up to 3 hours at a time.
- Be capable of visual and auditory scanning of the work environment so as to monitor the facility to ensure safe and effective office operations.
Working Conditions:
- This position operates in varied work environments including, but not limited to: offices, schools, hospitals, homes, community businesses, and community resources.
- Work is predominantly in doors, but may include work outside regardless of inclement weather.
Title of Position: Employment Specialist
Date Prepared: February 3, 2021
Reports to: Employment Supervisor
Program: Employment
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Summary: The Employment Specialist is responsible for providing intensive job training supports to participants in all of our Employment Programs. Focus will be on developing individualized training plans incorporating the learning requirements of the participant, the required job tasks and the quality standards of the employer/business partner resulting in increased independence and success on the job site. Employment Specialists will utilize Systematic Instruction techniques to support participant skill acquisition, social skill and self-advocacy skill development and ensure quality standards are met.
Key Relationships: participants, businesses, families, funders, employers, Funder Liaison, Job Developers
Supervisory Responsibility: none
Essential Functions:
Leadership
- Responsible for providing direct training support to participants in our Employment Programs.
- Support participants in paid and unpaid work opportunities.
- Provide individualized on-site job training and supports to participants.
- Complete Employment Profiles, Visual Resumes, and Customized Employment plans.
- Complete Community Based Work Assessments, Paid Work Experiences, and Job Shadows as assigned
External Relations and Collaboration
- Assist with developing PASS plans as assigned.
- Complete Career Plans and SESPs
- Work collaboratively with team and Job Developers to assist in developing employment opportunities
- Maintain positive working relationships with participants, families and funders.
- Maintain communication with consumer and their internal and external team
Administrative Activities and Documentation
- Work with Funder Liaison in completing activities including reporting, invoicing, managing phases and negotiating hours in the OVR portal called CWDS.
- Complete paperwork and documentation for all services.
- Create job support plans.
- Attend ISP and IEP meetings as scheduled.
Additional Job Responsibilities:
- Assist with grant projects as needed
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
- Experience in business or self-employment preferred
- Preference given to candidates with ACRE and Discovery and Customized Employment certifications- must be achieved within 6 months of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Core Competencies:
- Training and teaching strategies for people with a variety of needs.
- Self-Employment strategies
- Knowledge of Systematic Instruction
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Ability to use email proficiently.
- Experience using smart technology such as tablets and smart phones.
- Excellent time management skills
- Professional writing skills for internal/external communication and program documentation.
Physical Demands:
- Physical demands vary dependent upon the type of employment supports provided.
- Regularly required to sit, stand and walk for periods of time, occasionally climb and descend steps, and frequently talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle office materials and or equipment. The employee is frequently required to drive from location to location for periods of up to 1 hour, occasionally required to drive for periods of up to 3 hours or more.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Ability to sit for long periods of time
- Ability to lift 10 lbs. routinely and up to 30 lbs. occasionally
- Ability to climb stairs routinely and ladders or step stools occasionally
- Ability to bend at the waist and knees and to kneel.
- Ability to push, pull and reach.
- Ability to drive routinely up to one hour and occasionally up to 3 hours at a time.
- Be capable of visual and auditory scanning of the work environment so as to monitor the facility to ensure safe and effective office operations.
Working Conditions:
- This position operates in varied work environments including, but not limited to: offices, schools, hospitals, homes, community businesses, and community resources.
- Work is predominantly in doors, but may include work outside regardless of inclement weather.
Supported Employment Staffing Estimate
One Job coach can usually oversee 10 to 20 working individuals, depending on the caseload job support needs and the travel times.
One Job Development/Specialist can usually oversee 10 to 20 non-working individuals, depending on the levels of supports each individual needs. This staff can also serve as a job coach once employment is secured.
Our job developers maintain a caseload of about 15 -20 job seekers.